A second man who’s been charged in the death of Tim Bosma intends to plead not guilty, his lawyer says.

Mark Smich, 25, appeared in Hamilton court on Thursday morning where he was formally charged with first-degree murder in Bosma’s death.

Following the court appearance, Smich’s lawyer Tom Dungey told reporters that his client will plead not guilty to the charges and that he will be defending the case vigorously.

Court records show Smich has five previous convictions in Milton, Ont., including two for drug possession in 2005 and 2006, two failures to comply in 2006 and one impaired driving conviction in 2009.

He is also facing a mischief charge for allegedly spray-painting a highway overpass with graffiti.

Smich kept his head down during his brief court appearance, where he appeared nervous.

Wearing a brown T-shirt, black pants and sneakers, Smich only said a few words in court.

Smich was arrested in his hometown Oakville, Ont. on Wednesday, nearly two weeks after police arrested 27-year-old Dellen Millard in connection with Bosma’s death. 

Bosma, 32, disappeared from his Ancaster, Ont., home on May 6 after taking two strangers on a test drive of a pickup truck he had posted for sale online. About a week after he went missing, police announced Bosma’s charred remains had been found on a farm in the Waterloo, Ont. area.

Millard, is already facing charges of first-degree murder, forcible confinement and theft of a vehicle. His lawyer has said his client will plead not guilty.

Hamilton Supt. Dan Kinsella told reporters on Wednesday that Millard and Smich were known to each other, but he would not elaborate on their relationship.

Upon announcing Smich’s arrest, Kinsella said a third suspect is also being sought in the homicide investigation.

Investigators said a second car, a dark blue GMC Yukon owned by Millard, had followed Bosma during the test drive. Police are continuing their search for the driver of that vehicle.

However, Kinsella said that police are confident there’s no continued threat to the public.

Both Millard and Smich are scheduled to appear in court via video on June 13.

With files from The Canadian Press